The United States claimed to have carried out massive strikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, using 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.
In a social media post, US Central Command stated that Tehran’s anti-ship cruise missiles at these sites posed a threat to international shipping in the strait.
“Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep-penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz,” it said.
Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the… pic.twitter.com/hgCSFH0cqO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 17, 2026
This marks the first major US military action on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint that Iran partially closed following the outbreak of war on February 28. The disruption to maritime traffic has contributed to a global energy crisis, sending oil prices sharply higher.
US President Donald Trump had called on allied nations to help safeguard the strategic waterway, but the appeal drew little response. Trump criticised NATO allies, saying they had relied on billions of dollars in US support to assist Ukraine against Russia’s invasion but were unable to reciprocate in efforts to counter Iran, a longstanding threat to the Middle East and beyond.
Meanwhile, Iran launched a barrage of missiles toward Israel on Wednesday. Sirens sounded across central Israel, and loud explosions were reported in Tel Aviv. Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, confirmed two fatalities in Ramat Gan, a district east of Tel Aviv.
